Game II

Following their 26-18 victory in Game One in Adelaide, the Maroons attacked the game with confidence and enthusiasm in front of a crowd of 52,433 at Suncorp Stadium.

Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans played a starring role, fullback Reece Walsh found a new level after his Origin debut in Game One, while centre Valentine Holmes did much of the damage on the scoreboard with a personal double. 

After reverting to the bench before kick-off, prop Lindsay Collins powered through for 135 metres on his way to Player of the Match honours.

Blues coach Brad Fittler made a number of changes after a first-up loss in Sydney and was vindicated as Matt Burton shone on debut and Jake Trbojevic was immense in his return to the Origin arena.

The series now heads to Brisbane for a decider on July 13 with NSW carrying huge momentum and Billy Slater's Maroons needing to regroup.

Six minutes into the contest it was Maroons flyer Selwyn Cobbo with a chance to open the scoring but he was denied by a great cover tackle from Brian To'o.

Manly warhorse Jake Trbojevic and Rooster Angus Crichton are back in the fold with an eye to curbing the Maroons' dominance around the ruck, while Burton's towering bombs offer a second kicking option to relieve pressure on key playmaker Nathan Cleary.

For the Maroons, the loss of Xavier Coates and Reuben Cotter to injury sees in-form Cowboy Murray Taulagi come in on the wing for his Origin debut and Rabbitohs hard-man Jai Arrow recalled to the squad after missing Game Three last year for disciplinary reasons.

The 23-year-old has scored five tries across his 14 appearances this year and last played for his state in 2018 in the Queensland under 20s side, with the call-up in the reserves for the Origin clash a dream come true for the Dalby junior. 

"Being a Queensland kid, I'd always watch Queensland games," Fermor said, when speaking about his Origin aspirations earlier in the year.

"Some of my best early footy memories are watching Queensland games and I remember going to bed sad and crying if Queensland didn't win, so it'll be a dream come true if I get that opportunity."

Taulagi, who was part of the extended squad for Game One, will replace the injured Xavier Coates as one of two key changes for the Maroons with Reuben Cotter also ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered last weekend.

With Jack Wighton unavailable for selection due to covid protocols, Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton has been called into the squad, having performed admirably at centre last year for eventual premiers Penrith.

Cronulla powerhouse Siosifa Talakai has also been named in the squad which includes teammate Nicho Hynes, who was 18th Man for Game One.